USA Today/Gallup: Majority Of Hispanics In U.S. Identify As Independents

A majority of Hispanics in the United States are self-described indepenents, a new USA Today/Gallup poll shows.

The results of Monday's survey shows that 51 percent of U.S. Hispanics see themselves as politically independent — vastly eclipsing the number who identify with either of the two major parties. Thirty-two percent identify themselves as Democrats — although polls routinely show President Barack Obama enjoying considerable leads among Hispanic voters — while 23 percent identify with the Republican Party.

Although the poll confirms a trend toward political independence among the increasingly influential voting bloc, a majority of Hispanics still identify with the Democratic Party once partisan leanings are cosnidered. When respondents were dealt a follow-up question, 52 percent are identified as Democrats or "Democratic leaners" — about twice as many as the 23 percent who are identified as Republicans or "Republican leaners."